Gravy Making 101:
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Let the Christmas season commence!!
Got the tree up today thanks to my hubby and my sister and Decovin! ;-) Bob lugged it in the house and set it up. Christy, Decovin & I opened the ornaments and put them on the tree! It was so much more fun to have someone else help me! Bob doesn't like to decorate so it is all I can do to get him to bring the tree in! ha! With Christy's help though, we got the entire tree up and decorated all while Camden was taking his nap so no little "accidents" could happen. It was AWESOME! It feels so good to have it done! Thanks again crew! (and yes, my tree has presents under it already!!)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Black Friday!
I made it thru Black Friday shopping and got some STEALS! My cousin Amanda and I shopped for 9 hours!! Oh yes! We are serious shoppers! WHOO HOO!!
So steals of the day you ask? I got a dual screen dvd player for the car that attaches to the headrests for $88!
I called mom and told her about the AWESOME sale at Old Navy and she told me to go ahead and pick up some clothes for the boys from her for xmas...so she got them 2 pairs of jeans and 3 shirts EACH for $60!!!! And can I just say that the one pair of jeans I found for them is LINED with fleece! AWESOME...AND they are adjustable waistbands...a MUST with my skinny waisted kiddos!!! The coolest unexpected deal was if I used my O.N. credit card I got an additional 10% off the sale prices!!! WOOT!!!
I got SEVERAL xmas gifts for family and maybe even some stuff for myself...oops! ;-) Kohl's was awesome and after we had left and gone to another store I realized I had a coupon for Kohl's that I forgot about and so we went back in and asked if we could get it even though we had already checked out...the lady rocked and returned and rechecked our stuff and gave us the additional 15% off! The coupon was good for the entire weekend so we gave our coupons to two people in line to use as we weren't coming back the rest of the weekend...;-) I gave it to a guy who had a newborn with him and he looked like he could use it...it felt great to offer it to someone else! ;-)
We also hit Walmart first and it was a MOB of craziness but we managed ok, I didn't get my Nintendo DS I was hoping for, but that's ok...I wasn't going with any expectations so it wasn't that big of a deal.
Overall, it was a great day and I had so much fun and many laughs with Amanda...we always have a good time together! *heart*
So steals of the day you ask? I got a dual screen dvd player for the car that attaches to the headrests for $88!
I called mom and told her about the AWESOME sale at Old Navy and she told me to go ahead and pick up some clothes for the boys from her for xmas...so she got them 2 pairs of jeans and 3 shirts EACH for $60!!!! And can I just say that the one pair of jeans I found for them is LINED with fleece! AWESOME...AND they are adjustable waistbands...a MUST with my skinny waisted kiddos!!! The coolest unexpected deal was if I used my O.N. credit card I got an additional 10% off the sale prices!!! WOOT!!!
I got SEVERAL xmas gifts for family and maybe even some stuff for myself...oops! ;-) Kohl's was awesome and after we had left and gone to another store I realized I had a coupon for Kohl's that I forgot about and so we went back in and asked if we could get it even though we had already checked out...the lady rocked and returned and rechecked our stuff and gave us the additional 15% off! The coupon was good for the entire weekend so we gave our coupons to two people in line to use as we weren't coming back the rest of the weekend...;-) I gave it to a guy who had a newborn with him and he looked like he could use it...it felt great to offer it to someone else! ;-)
We also hit Walmart first and it was a MOB of craziness but we managed ok, I didn't get my Nintendo DS I was hoping for, but that's ok...I wasn't going with any expectations so it wasn't that big of a deal.
Overall, it was a great day and I had so much fun and many laughs with Amanda...we always have a good time together! *heart*
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
GRATI Tuesday
Grati Tuesday Everyone!
Things I am thankful for this week:
1. Doctor's, Nurses, and hospital staff for taking care of my dad!
2. Friends, old and new!
3. My cousin Michelle and her courage to keep fighting!
4. My husband, he is still my world after almost 10 years of marriage. I love him.
5. Family
6. And of course, THANKSGIVING!
Things I am thankful for this week:
1. Doctor's, Nurses, and hospital staff for taking care of my dad!
2. Friends, old and new!
3. My cousin Michelle and her courage to keep fighting!
4. My husband, he is still my world after almost 10 years of marriage. I love him.
5. Family
6. And of course, THANKSGIVING!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Update on Daddy
Yesterday I went up to the hospital to hang out with my dad for the day. Thanks to my friend Sarah for watching my boys so I could go! When I got there he was still without food/nutrients/etc...but he was able to get up and walk around the ICU floor. He did two laps. Then back to his room to sit in a chair for a bit. He REALLY likes getting up and moving...he is getting STIR crazy!
The nurse said his infection is looking better but it is still draining pus and still has a ways to heal. This is apparently the only reason he is still on the ICU floor. Hoping it will heal fast so he can get off that floor! Later in the afternoon, the physical therapist came in and took him for another walk and to attempt some stairs...he made it up four steps and down twice! He was a little stumbly on the first attempt as he was trying to go all gung ho and too fast. But then he got it no problem! We were joking around and telling the nurses he was "bustin' out of the ward" as the stairs were out in the hallway were the waiting room is...he REALLY liked seeing something new! He LOVED it in fact!
They did finally prescribe him some "nutritients" via IV, or TPN, Total parenteral nutrition. TPN is a way of supplying all the nutritional needs of the body by bypassing the digestive system and dripping nutrient solution directly into a vein. While this won't make his belly feel "full" he will gain some more energy. 9 days with NOTHING can take a toll on a guy. So this is a VERY good thing...he has also been successful in the extraction of gasses in his chest and intestines making his belly look less distended and "soft" again! YAY!
Slow process but he is getting better everyday! Thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts and concerns...we truly appreciate it!
The nurse said his infection is looking better but it is still draining pus and still has a ways to heal. This is apparently the only reason he is still on the ICU floor. Hoping it will heal fast so he can get off that floor! Later in the afternoon, the physical therapist came in and took him for another walk and to attempt some stairs...he made it up four steps and down twice! He was a little stumbly on the first attempt as he was trying to go all gung ho and too fast. But then he got it no problem! We were joking around and telling the nurses he was "bustin' out of the ward" as the stairs were out in the hallway were the waiting room is...he REALLY liked seeing something new! He LOVED it in fact!
They did finally prescribe him some "nutritients" via IV, or TPN, Total parenteral nutrition. TPN is a way of supplying all the nutritional needs of the body by bypassing the digestive system and dripping nutrient solution directly into a vein. While this won't make his belly feel "full" he will gain some more energy. 9 days with NOTHING can take a toll on a guy. So this is a VERY good thing...he has also been successful in the extraction of gasses in his chest and intestines making his belly look less distended and "soft" again! YAY!
Slow process but he is getting better everyday! Thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts and concerns...we truly appreciate it!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Update
I have been up to see my dad Thursday, Friday and will visit him again today, Saturday. Yesterday dad had a pretty productive day. He met with physical therapy and they got him standing and he took several steps and was able to"march" in place also. All good things. He was disappointed though because he thought he was going to get to walk more. Because he is so tied up to so manydifferent tubes he couldn't go but 4 steps away from his bed...he did great though!
Somewhere between getting back in bed and lunch time (for Mendy & I anyway) dad's feeding tube came completely out so Dr. Hup (sp?), the doctor who assisted Dr. Al-Kaspools (sp?) in the surgery came in and put it back in for him. They had to give him a local to numb the area and a few stitches to boot. :-(
I was able to help him brush his teeth, he REALLY enjoyed this since he isn't allowed water or food. He said it tasted like candy! LOL! I actually helped him brush his teeth 3 times in total yesterday b/c he liked it so much! LOL! Later in the afternoon they were able to give him a sponge bath and shampoo his hair...he enjoyed the shampoo a great deal! They lotioned him up and he smelled pretty good! ha!
Dr. Al-Kaspools had come in the afternoon and checked him over and told him he was doing well and that he was likely going to be moved to a room by Saturday! YAY! And if everything goes well with that, he will likely have the test on Monday to x-ray his esophagus while he swallows to see if there are any leaks in the incision, etc...if no leaks and everything looks good, he will get to start liquids that day also! So keep those prayers, positive thoughts, etc coming so dad can start drinking his food...he is LONGING for a vanilla milkshake. If you come and visit him, there is a likely chance he would bring it up in conversation at least twice! haha! He's got a ways to go before he can have something like that, but a man can dream can't he?!
I'll try and update what I find out today. Thanks for checking up on my dad...we really appreciate it. :-)
Somewhere between getting back in bed and lunch time (for Mendy & I anyway) dad's feeding tube came completely out so Dr. Hup (sp?), the doctor who assisted Dr. Al-Kaspools (sp?) in the surgery came in and put it back in for him. They had to give him a local to numb the area and a few stitches to boot. :-(
I was able to help him brush his teeth, he REALLY enjoyed this since he isn't allowed water or food. He said it tasted like candy! LOL! I actually helped him brush his teeth 3 times in total yesterday b/c he liked it so much! LOL! Later in the afternoon they were able to give him a sponge bath and shampoo his hair...he enjoyed the shampoo a great deal! They lotioned him up and he smelled pretty good! ha!
Dr. Al-Kaspools had come in the afternoon and checked him over and told him he was doing well and that he was likely going to be moved to a room by Saturday! YAY! And if everything goes well with that, he will likely have the test on Monday to x-ray his esophagus while he swallows to see if there are any leaks in the incision, etc...if no leaks and everything looks good, he will get to start liquids that day also! So keep those prayers, positive thoughts, etc coming so dad can start drinking his food...he is LONGING for a vanilla milkshake. If you come and visit him, there is a likely chance he would bring it up in conversation at least twice! haha! He's got a ways to go before he can have something like that, but a man can dream can't he?!
I'll try and update what I find out today. Thanks for checking up on my dad...we really appreciate it. :-)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Happy Veteran's Day and GratiWednesday all in one!
First of all, Happy Veteran's Day! This includes my hubby! Love you honey!
GratiWednesday begins:
1. Dr. Al-Kaspools (sp?) and his team...my dad's oncologist/surgeon. He was able to get all of my dad's tumor out, perform the resection of his esophagus all done lapriscopically! No need to disect him anywhere! (well, he did have to make a small incision and cut a small piece of his rib out to remove the tumor, but hey, that's minimal compared to what it could have been!) The surgery took around 9 hours to complete and my dad did great! He was out of recovery around 9:45pm last night and mom said he was in a lot of pain and puffy (all of which is expected and normal.) I'm just glad he is done. Now onto the hard part, recovering!
2. My friends and family for all their support via positive thoughts, prayers, etc...they have been WONDERFUL and I know that is why the surgery went so well! Thank you all!!
3. To the veterans, thank you for serving our country and sticking your neck out for all the rest of us, it truly is amazing what you do for your countrymen! Thank you!
4. And finally, coffee. Thank you coffee, for without you my days would be dragging and long...thanks for boosting me up when I need you most...first thing in the mornings! ha!
Hope you all have a great week!
GratiWednesday begins:
1. Dr. Al-Kaspools (sp?) and his team...my dad's oncologist/surgeon. He was able to get all of my dad's tumor out, perform the resection of his esophagus all done lapriscopically! No need to disect him anywhere! (well, he did have to make a small incision and cut a small piece of his rib out to remove the tumor, but hey, that's minimal compared to what it could have been!) The surgery took around 9 hours to complete and my dad did great! He was out of recovery around 9:45pm last night and mom said he was in a lot of pain and puffy (all of which is expected and normal.) I'm just glad he is done. Now onto the hard part, recovering!
2. My friends and family for all their support via positive thoughts, prayers, etc...they have been WONDERFUL and I know that is why the surgery went so well! Thank you all!!
3. To the veterans, thank you for serving our country and sticking your neck out for all the rest of us, it truly is amazing what you do for your countrymen! Thank you!
4. And finally, coffee. Thank you coffee, for without you my days would be dragging and long...thanks for boosting me up when I need you most...first thing in the mornings! ha!
Hope you all have a great week!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
GRATI Tuesday
I'm going to try to be thankful right now and maybe it will help me get out of my funk! Daylight Savings time I am NOT thankful for but I will try and move past this...
1. My sister. She really makes a solid effort to hang out with me and my kids! She really loves them (and me I assume...ha!) and they really love her back and me too! Case in point: she came to our house on Halloween just to hang with us and see the boys! She also helped out by passing out candy to our trick-or-treaters that came by while we were gone. We had over 100!! Awesome! Thanks sis!
2. November. New Moon comes out this month and it seems like we have been on countdown for a VERY long time! It's finally here! Wheeeeee!
3. Health. I am thankful that we have been "cold-free" for over a week now! Knock on wood it stays that way!
4. Last minute plans. We get to have Thanksgiving with my dad afterall! We decided we could all get together this Saturday to have our traditional Thanksgiving meal before my dad is fed through a tube for who knows how long after his surgery on the 10th. So I am pulling out all the stops and going to try to make all his favorites!!
5. My husband. He has been working this outage for 4 weeks now and is really exhausted, yet he doesn't complain about it. He's the reason I get to stay home with my boys, and for that I am truly thankful!
I feel a little more lighthearted now, but I really miss NAPS! Thanks for reading friends!
1. My sister. She really makes a solid effort to hang out with me and my kids! She really loves them (and me I assume...ha!) and they really love her back and me too! Case in point: she came to our house on Halloween just to hang with us and see the boys! She also helped out by passing out candy to our trick-or-treaters that came by while we were gone. We had over 100!! Awesome! Thanks sis!
2. November. New Moon comes out this month and it seems like we have been on countdown for a VERY long time! It's finally here! Wheeeeee!
3. Health. I am thankful that we have been "cold-free" for over a week now! Knock on wood it stays that way!
4. Last minute plans. We get to have Thanksgiving with my dad afterall! We decided we could all get together this Saturday to have our traditional Thanksgiving meal before my dad is fed through a tube for who knows how long after his surgery on the 10th. So I am pulling out all the stops and going to try to make all his favorites!!
5. My husband. He has been working this outage for 4 weeks now and is really exhausted, yet he doesn't complain about it. He's the reason I get to stay home with my boys, and for that I am truly thankful!
I feel a little more lighthearted now, but I really miss NAPS! Thanks for reading friends!
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